The View From ColumbiaFlorida sinks South Carolina in Gamecocks’ SEC opener
South Carolina tipped off its SEC season Tuesday against Florida. Here’s what happened.
The ovation was directed at an individual, but perhaps it stood for something more.
Less than seven minutes into South Carolina’s SEC opener with Florida on Tuesday, the buzzer sounded and the crowd roared. Maik Kotsar, who had just completed his second three-point play of the night, was getting a much-deserved breather. His early effort earned the approval of those in support of the home team.

Gamecock fans noticed their senior’s play — as well as the scoreboard. The USC team that previously took the Colonial Life Arena floor left it in overwhelming disappointment. But here it was eight days after Stetson bringing its fan base back in again. The lead was four. The shooting percentage was 70.

All Carolina had to do was keep it up.
It couldn’t. Florida never trailed in the second half en route to an 81-68 win.
The Gamecocks dropped to 8-6 (0-1 SEC). The Gators improved to 10-4 (2-0).
Florida, ranked sixth in the preseason by national polls, was smoothly operated by Andrew Nembhard. The Gators’ star point guard took command at crucial times. When Carolina cut the lead to three with 8:15 remaining, Nembhard responded with a perfectly placed dish for Keyontae Johnson, who finished at the rim.
A 66-60 Florida advantage grew to 69-60 after Nembhard drilled a 3-pointer from beyond the left wing. When he swished from the same spot at the 2-minute mark, he put UF up nine and all but sealed the game.
Nembhard finished with 21 points and 10 assists, getting the better of his matchup with Lawson, a fellow Canadian and NBA prospect.
Read more here: https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...h-carolina/usc-mens-basketball/#storylink=cpy

Keyontae Johnson is the best finisher on the team. Quick, good jumper, strong and great hands, I am going to hate losing him!

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Not sure I agree with that. He misses a ton of shots close to the rim. I think he is a hell of a player and will only get better. I don't see him leaving after this season though. He is one of my favorites on the team.

Florida opens SEC play 2-0 with 81-68 win at South Carolina
By Gvl Sun Pat Dooley
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Andrew Nembhard had 21 points and 10 assists as Florida held on to defeat South Carolina 81-68 on Tuesday night.
Keyontae Johnson added 19 points for the Gators (10-4), who opened 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play for the third time in the past four seasons.
Nembhard was a big reason why.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore made 8 of 14 shots, including three 3-pointers. He also had 10 of Florida’s 13 assists as he controlled the action anytime South Carolina (8-6, 0-1) got close.
Johnson scored 10 of his points in the opening half as Florida played without leading scorer and rebounder Kerry Blackshear Jr. for all but two minutes due to foul trouble.
The Gamecocks cut the lead to a point twice in the second half, the last time on Maik Kotsar’s bucket with 13:35 to play. But Scottie Lewis followed with a 3-pointer, Nembhard hit two foul shots and Blackshear made three attempts at the line to push the lead to 61-53.
Florida was still only up 73-68 on Kotsar’s inside basket with 2:43 left. But Nembhard found Blackshear on the next possession, leading to a foul shot before Nembhard put things away with a no-doubt 3-pointer with 2:01 to go to stretch things to 77-68.Florida opens SEC play 2-0 with 81-68 win at South Carolina - GatorSports.com

At the Buzzer: Florida 81, South Carolina 68
Chris Harry / Senior Writer UAA A quick breakdown of the Gators' road opener in SEC play and victory over the GamecocksWHAT HAPPENED: Sophomore point guard Andrew Nembhard posted the first double-double of his career, scoring 21 points and dishing 10 assists, while sophomore forward Keyontae Johnson was good for a game-high 19 points, 10 rebounds and his second straight double-double, as the Gators closed strong to win their Southeastern Conference road opener Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena. UF withstood a rough second-half patch of shooting when it missed 10 of 11 field-goal attempts, but maintained a lead by making free throws -- 14-for-18 for the period, 19-for-25 for the game -- and scored the night's final eight points while holding the Gamecocks scoreless the last 2:43. Freshman forward Scottie Lewis nearly joined the double-party, falling a rebound short with 15 points and nine boards. The visitors managed to stick around despite a foul-plagued first half from leading scorer and rebounder Kerry Blackshear Jr., who had just two minutes on the floor, but returned to impact the second half with 11 points and five rebounds. That impact wasn't like Nembhard's, though. He picked up where he left off from his career-high 25 points in Saturday's rousing, record-breaking comeback against Alabama by hitting eight of his 14 field-goal attempts, three of five 3-pointers and both free throws over 37 minutes. The Gators used 50-percent shooting in the first half to take a 40-37 lead into the locker room. Halfway through the second half, the margin was eight, but the Gamecocks hung tough while UF was going through a 1-for-11 stretch. USC cut the league to three, 61-58, but a mini-run by the visitors of 8-1, capped by a 3-pointer from Nembhard, took the lead to nine with just over five minutes remaining. The Gamecocks got it to five a couple times, as well as six approaching two minutes, but Nembhard hit another killer 3-ball at the 2:00 mark to make it a nine-point lead.

WHAT IT MEANS: The first true road victory for the Gators in three tries this season also makes it two wins in the first two SEC games of the season for the first time since 2017. Oh, and it marks the 200th career victory for Coach Mike White, but also his 99th at Florida. He is on pace to reach the 100-victory milestone faster than any coach in UF history other than Billy Donovan, who won his 100th in his fifth season and 154th game. White is also in his fifth season, but through 156 games.At the Buzzer: Florida 81, South Carolina 68 - Florida Gators